Hydrogen distribution in nuclear reactor containment during accidents and associated heat and mass transfer issues-A review

Hydrogen generation during the progression of an accident in a nuclear reactor and its release into the containment comprise an important safety concern in the management of severe accidents in nuclear power plants. The distribution of hydrogen within the containment has important bearing on possibility, mode, and consequence of combustion in the containment. Hence, several small-and large-scale facilities have been built to study the distribution of released hydrogen. Further, several numerical studies and intercomparison exercises on hydrogen distribution have been carried out. The present review summarizes the experimental and numerical studies on hydrogen distribution and suggests opportunities for further studies.